women in black

 Two witches (Neti and Jeanine) and two spiders (Pat and your blogger) met to celebrate Halloween last night. We had a lovely paella dinner at Pat's home and we kept talking until very late (to me) and so today I scurry a bit and that's OK. Worth it. And behold, it's now November.

Memorial for Lee Brady

 We celebrated on what would have been Lee's 96th birthday yesterday. She was an amazing woman who wrote and acted in plays, had tons of interesting friends and really LIVED. I only knew Lee for a couple of years as she was part of our book club, but I feel so fortunate to have known her. In the top photo we see Lee celebrating her 95th birthday. I will remember her sitting cross legged in a chair remembering all sorts of details in the books we were reading and discussing. What a mind. What an inspiration. The memorial was at the Phoenix Theater on Mason Street ~ and very well done.

Dia de los Muertos

 I was afraid that with all the obnoxious ICE threats and activities that our colorful neighborhood would avoid Day of the Dead celebrations, but thank goodness that is not the case. The top photo is from inside my favorite gift store Luz de Luna and then the next is just one of the many, many altars in restaurants and shops. The parade will be Sunday night and I so hope everyone stays safe in these perilous times.

it all helps

 From the top: a long walk in the nabe with Jen and her two dogs. Sifting through happy memories and then some beautiful flowers from the Blogmaid. Amy and I will have a small, casual memorial for Ginger at a later date. And thanks for loving messages from friends. We are healing.

best friends forever

 I met Ginger back in the 70's and we were besties right from the start. Here is a photo of her in 2016, before Alzheimer's destroyed her. She died Sunday night and even though I expected this and even though I know logically that death is far better than how she was living, I am grieving. RIP my beautiful and funny and brilliant friend. 

just in time

 I have seen this wonderful play several times and it is always so much fun. Noises Off at the SF Playhouse provides the kind of laughter and release that we all need these days. The actors are terrific and I urge you to see this chaotically delightful play. I saw this yesterday afternoon after my house guest left for Palo Alto and yes, a very successful visit. Emma's Room rocks.

an overnight guest

 Susan is in Emma's Room for a night. So far, excellent. After lunch here (I cooked!) we went to the Minnesota Project and roamed around for a colorful afternoon. Dinner last night down at Precita Social and that joint was jumping. So glad they are in the neighborhood. Delicious black cod for Susan and a burger for me. In between all the activities? Talk/talk/talk.

Game One

 Blue Jays 11 ~ Dodgers 4. Lovely pomp and circumstance and the hahahahahaha ad featuring President Reagan to piss off tRump and his tariffs. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. 

a touch of tranquil

 The corner coffee shop (Precita Park Cafe) is sort of the glue that holds our neighborhood together. Often if I don't feel like walking I will lure myself out of my comfy home with the promise of a latte in the sun, or fog. Yesterday the maniac in Washington, DC, called off the troops for now, so my city won't be looking like Nazi Germany. I celebrated at my little cafe. Fingers crossed.

disgusting

 Well, isn't this just so symbolic of tRump's administration? This is NOT his home and to see these photos and videos hurts my heart. Plus he has really tacky taste in my opinion, sort of like the worst part of the 1950's Holiday Inns. Ick.

better and better

 Season 5 of Slow Horses is such a treat.  Last night's episode was rich with glorious irony. Some of my friends are waiting to binge at the end but I can't NOT watch every week. Genius.

the unvarnished truth

 

I need a week of rain

 My LindaKindle4 is packed full of wonderful books to read. I thought that when I retired I would spend all day/every day reading, but that is not the case. Last week I did catch up with my New Yorkers and am almost to October. Yay! The 4th book pictured here by Vindela Vida is for our next book club, so I need to get moving on that one. I'm a little disappointed with The Hallmarked Man (#3) to tell the truth. Too much to read? Ah, such a problem, right?

yes, a VERY good day

 No Kings was a huge success all across the country and of course a BIG day in San Francisco. Our "team" in the second photo was always losing someone as we wandered away to take another picture or to talk with someone we spotted in the crowd. A wonderful feeling that we can do this, we can fight the fascists if we stay strong and positive.

today we gather and protest

 Patriots ~ we exercise our Constitutional Rights today and our event starts at 1:30 down at the Embarcadero and we walk up Market Street to Civic Center. It is always a joyous feeling to know that there are so many of us showing up for Democracy. 

old favorites return

 So very satisfying. Slow Horses is on Apple tv and The Diplomat on Netflix. I think television just gets better and better, don't you?

The Art of Manga

 I appreciate that the deYoung is hoping to attract younger museum goers with this exhibit, but it is not MY kind of art. Still, a fine day with Steve and Barbara from Marin and I acted like a docent (with not much knowledge) and showed them around and then we had overpriced coffee and a sweet in the cafe and talked of many things. These are indeed trying times for those of us who loathe Trump. Sigh.

a three hour battle

 I treated myself to the Alamo's bargain movie day and was mesmerized (and at times puzzled) by One Battle After Another with just about the best cast ever. Non-stop action for almost three hours. So nice to have Sean Penn back and Leonardo DiCaprio was fabulous as an aging revolutionary. I recommend this movie to everyone, it is amazing. 

rainy Monday

 I spent a warm and cozy at-home day and pulled out the Halloween and Thanksgiving boxes. set up the orange lights and watched a little TV as the most welcome rain descended into our city. Today the air is clear, the sidewalks are clean(er) and the sun is out. And I will leave the house, reluctantly. 

a very good thing

 Congratulations to Trump and Jared for pulling this off. The 20 Israeli hostages were released and finally the carnage in Gaza has stopped. What a long and difficult two years it has been.

summer has arrived

 It was just SO beautiful in Pathetica yesterday ~ no fog, no wind. Lots of people and dogs, of course, and the Blogmaid and I enjoyed our walk, lattes and good catch-up conversation at the Chit Chat Cafe. 

playoffs ~ game 5

 Well, the Seattle Mariners FINALLY won in the bottom of the 15th last night as the Blogmaid and I texted to/fro. A very exciting game. There is really nothing quite as intense as October baseball and I love that those crazy fans stood on their feet the entire time. Tomorrow the Mariners play the Blue Jays and that should be great fun too.

old friends in an old SF restaurant

 Pardon the bad top shot of Ken the Person, but I wanted you to see the wonderful photos in those old oval frames in the background. Yesterday we celebrated Ken's birthday at Sear's Fine Food on Powell Street and it was great because they weren't busy and we could actually hear as we tried to determine the year we met and our many career changes and mistakes since then. Also a few good times along the way, of course. Downtown is coming back, yay!

push back, Chicago

 The good people of Chicago took to the streets last night and I believe there was even a Cubs' game going on? We do NOT want our military in our cities and we do NOT want a Dictator in the White House. These are perilous times for those of us who love Democracy. Protests work, as we remember from Viet Nam.

holiday ornament sale

 Here is my neighbor Cristina working on her display and photos in order to sell my vintage (very old) xmas ornaments on Facebook Marketplace for me. She has a real talent for this and I only broke one during this merchandising production. I have some very nice neighbors!

small dinner party

 Annabelle loves a pretty table but she hid when Harlow (bottom photo), my great grand dog, appeared last night. Samantha and Luke had many (many) photos of their honeymoon in the South of France and then neighbor Rob joined us for lasagne and salad and lots of happy chatter. Heidi is in Texas and we all missed her big time. Sam baked cookies for dessert and we all had a splendid time.